*DBASE HELP TEXT FILE DBASEMSG.TXT VERSION 1.12 FOR dBASE II v2.4 Copyright 1983 Ashton-Tate and RSP, Inc. written by Wayne Ratliff, Jim Taylor, and Howard Dickler INTRODUCTION This entry is intended to give you on-line information about your dBASE II Database Management System. It explains the disk files you have received, and gives suggestions on tapping the power now available to you for data management. Using the on-line HELP in conjunction with your Manual, you will soon be creating databases and writing command procedures to do your work. >>>>> type any key to continue <<<<< HOW TO USE THE 'HELP' FACILITY Information about your dBASE II system can be obtained by typing HELP and any of the following key words: (e.g. HELP NEW ) UTILITIES FULL-SCREEN LIMITS BACKUP INSTALL NEW ERRORS CP/M EXAMPLES FUNCTIONS DBASE HELP RUNTIME (or any dBASE II command) dBASE will then look up the entry for the key word and display it. If there is no information on the subject then dBASE will say "NO HELP MESSAGES FOUND". When there is more text to display beyond what's shown, then you will see the word WAITING (like this) >>>>> type any key to continue. <<<<< The essential dBASE II files on this disk are these: DBASE.COM --main system program file DBASEOVR.COM --all overlays and system messages DBASEMSG.TXT --this HELP file (not necessary if you never use HELP) INSTALL.COM --terminal installation program (not necessary after terminal is installed). Other files on the disk (or on other disks included with the system) are not essential but are useful as described below: *UTILITIES UTILITY FILES TO WORK WITH YOUR dBASE II SYSTEM: STARTUP.CMD --this command file is intended to help you determine if your terminal is properly installed. Type DO STARTUP after bringing up dBASE. SETS.CMD --this command file will restore dBASE to all the default values of the SET parameters. You may modify this file to restore your own list of parameters. DATESYS.CMD --this command file will call an assembly language routine to check a date for validity, and then set the dBASE system date. LABELS.CMD --this command file prints mailing labels. NAMES.DBF --database used by LABELS. CREATE.CMD --this command file creates a command file with the usual and suggested command file documentation. DATER.CMD --this command file demonstrates converting back and forth between calendar date and julian date. DATETEST.HEX --fast assembly-language date checking routine which is called by several of the example programs. ZIP.COM --a program run from CP/M which will greatly speed up the development of screens for data input and display. ZIPIN.COM --the terminal installation program for ZIP; run this program if the terminal does not appear correct while in ZIP. ZSCRN.OVL --part of ZIP. DGEN.OVL --part of ZIP that generates dBASE files. *EXAMPLES Some files that are present with dBASE II are EXAMPLE files (occassionally on a separate disk). These files are intended to be useful as they are, and are internally documented well enough for you to customize them to suit your own purposes. Each suite of programs listed is progressively more involved, so you can start at a level comfortable to you and work up. The master program of each group is marked with a '>'. TICKLE FILE MANAGEMENT FILES (CARDFILE) > CMAIN.CMD TEXT.DBF CPRINT.CMD KEYWORD.NDX APPECARD.CMD TICKLE.NDX TICKLE.FRM EDITCARD.FMT CHECKBOOK MANAGEMENT FILES > CHXMENU.CMD CHXINPUT.FMT CHXDEPOS.FMT CHXBOOK.MEM CHECKS.DBF DEPOSITS.DBF INVENTORY MANAGEMENT FILES > IMAIN.CMD INVENT.DBF ISETUP.CMD I'BYNMBR.NDX INVMAINT.CMD I'BYDESC.NDX INVQUAN.CMD INV'CONS.FRM INVREAD.CMD INV'PRTR.FRM INVRPRT.CMD PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT FILES > EMAIN.CMD EMPLOYEE.DBF ESETUP.CMD EMPSCRN.FMT EMP-ENTR.CMD EMP-UPD.FMT EMP-UPD.CMD EMP-PRT.FRM EMP-TERM.CMD EMP-CONS.FRM EMP-RPRT.CMD E'BYNMBR.NDX EMPLOYEE.MEM E'BYNAME.NDX *EXIT *FULL SCREEN FULL-SCREEN CURSOR MOVEMENT CODES --ALL COMMANDS ctrl-X moves cursor DOWN to the next field (also ctrl-F) ctrl-E moves cursor UP to the previous field (also ctrl-A) ctrl-D moves cursor AHEAD one character ctrl-S moves cursor BACK one character ctrl-G deletes the character under the cursor or deletes the character to the left of cursor ctrl-Y blanks out current field to the right of the cursor ctrl-V toggles between overwrite and INSERT modes ctrl-W saves any changes made and returns to dBASE (Superbrain ctrl-O) IN EDIT MODE ctrl-U toggles the record DELETE mark on and off ctrl-C writes current record to disk and ADVANCES to next record ctrl-R writes current record to disk and BACKS to previous record ctrl-Q ignores changes to current record asnd returns to dBASE ctrl-W writes all changes to disk and returns IN BROWSE MODE ctrl-B pans the window RIGHT one field ctrl-Z pans the window LEFT one field IN MODIFY MODE ctrl-T DELETES current line, moves all lower lines up ctrl-N INSERTS new line at cursor position ctrl-C scrolls down a half page ctrl-W writes all changes to disk and returns to dBASE ctrl-Q ignores all changes and returns IN APPEND MODE when cursor is in first position of first field will terminate APPEND command ctrl-W writes record to disk and moves to next record ctrl-Q ignores current record and returns to dBASE CONTROL KEY STROKES WHEN NOT IN FULL SCREEN ctrl-P toggles your printer ON and OFF ctrl-R repeats the last executed dBASE command ctrl-X clears the command line without executing command ctrl-H backspace ctrl-M acts exactly like a carriage return *INSTALL In order to use dBASE II's Full-Screen editing facility, your terminal must be properly installed. Many dBASE formats are pre-installed. If yours is not, your screen will appear jumbled when you attempt to perform such full screen operations as APPEND or EDIT. To correct this, you must install dBASE II by running the dBASE II installation, INSTALL.COM, called from your system as INSTALL. Since you may diagnose your terminal's status at any time by running STARTUP.CMD (called from the dBASE II "." prompt by entering the command DO STARTUP), you would be wise to use it before attempting to INSTALL dBASE II. It will tell you if you need to run the installation program, and can be used later to check the results if you do. *EXIT *BACKUP *CP/M CP/M OPERATING SYSTEM This information is applicable to CP/M version 2.2. For most computers using this operating system, you will need to do the following: I. Operating System A. Copying the system disk -- 1. Place CP/M system disk on drive A and a blank disk on drive B. 2. Format the blank disk with the format utility provided on your CP/M system disk if necessary. Copy the system tracks to the blank disk by running the SYSGEN.COM program (or similar program) provided on your CP/M system disk. 3. Use PIP to bring the PIP.COM over to the blank disk. The syntax is as follows: A>PIP B:=A:PIP.COM[OV] 4. Put the new disk containing PIP and SYSGEN.COM on drive A and dBASE system disk on drive B, then type the following: A>DIR B: 5. Check to see that the following files are displayed: DBASE.COM DBASEOVR.COM DBASEMSG.TXT INSTALL.COM STARTUP.CMD 6. Type the following: A> A>PIP A:=B:*.*[OV] B. CP/M limitations that affect dBASE 1. Disk limitations -- a) With CP/M system disk on drive A, type the following: A>STAT B: The disk capacity remaining indicates how much storage in kilobytes is available for dBASE. b) The following equation will allow you to calculate the number of dBASE records which can be stored on the disk: Kilobytes of storage dBASE records will use on disk = ((recordsize * number of records) + 521) / 1024 C. CP/M error messages that may occur -- The expression "x:" represents the disk drive name. 1. "BDOS ERROR ON x: BAD SECTOR" An error in reading or writing the disk. Possible problem may be: a) disk format is different from the one the disk drive is designed to read. b) disk was not inserted properly in the disk drive. c) disk drive malfunctioned when reading the disk. d) disk is bad due to excessive wear or foreign particles on the surface of the disk. 2. "BDOS ERROR ON x: SELECT" This error occurs when selecting a disk drive not available to the computer. 3. "BDOS ERROR ON x: READ ONLY" This error occurs when there is an attempt to write on a disk that has been given a read-only status. A disk is assigned a read-only status when the disk drive door has been opened or when a write-protect tab has been placed on it. If the disk does not have a write-protect tab on it, you can use the warm start procedure (control-C) to reset the disk when in CP/M, or the RESET command when in dBASE. *EXIT *NEW > New commands and changes to dBASE II version 2.4 New commands: HELP -- user aid command. REINDEX -- realigns and updates existing index file. TEXT -- displays multiple lines of text, terminated by ENDTEXT. RANK( ) -- function; returns ASCII value of first character. Supplemented Commands: APPEND,INSERT,EDIT,CREATE -- can use a format file for screen control. BROWSE -- can be given a list of fields to work with. DISPLAY STATUS -- shows databases/indexes in use and SET settings. READ & REPLACE -- can be directed not to perform disk accesses when non-key data is changed. RELEASE -- can release subsets of memory variables. RESTORE -- can restore additively to existing memory variables. SAVE -- can save subsets of memory variables. SET RAW ON -- eliminates extra spaces in DISPLAY and ? commands. UPDATE -- replace clause can have WITH phrases. *EXIT *? *?? > ? -- Evaluates and displays the value of an expression. In command file (and elsewhere) can be used without expression to space down a line at output. . ? 6/3 2 . ? 'CITY' CITY . ? CITY (field of file in use) Managua > ?? -- Same as ?, but displays result on same line as entry. *EXIT *@ > @ -- Displays user formatted data on the screen or printer at specified x,y coordinates (x = line, y = column ). Syntax: @ [SAY [USING '']] [GET [PICTURE '']] @ 3,23 SAY AMOUNT * 1.06 USING '$$$,$$$.99' @ 14,23 SAY "ENTER PHONE" GET PHONE PICTURE '(###)###-####' @ LINE+2,45 SAY TOTAL USING '99999.99' *EXIT *ACCEPT > ACCEPT -- Prompts user to enter character string information into a designated memory variable. Syntax: ACCEPT [''] TO . ACCEPT "What is the worst sin?" to SIN What is the worst sin?: [user's response stored to SIN] . ? SIN [user's response displayed] *EXIT *APPEND > APPEND FROM [FOR ] or > APPEND FROM [SDF] [DELIMITED] [FOR ] -- appends data FROM a database or file in System Data Format file to the database in use. Records marked for deletion in FROM will not be appended. e.g., APPEND FROM MAILLIST FOR NAME = 'N' APPEND FROM TEST.TXT DELIMITED > APPEND BLANK -- appends a blank, i.e. empty, record to file in use. > APPEND -- allows user to add new records to database in use. (If index is also in use, the index file is automatically updated). *EXIT *BROWSE > BROWSE [FIELDS ] -- Brings up Full-screen viewing and editing of the database in use. *EXIT *CANCEL > CANCEL -- In a command file, stops command file execution and returns user to dBASE "." prompt. Command file fragment: ACCEPT "What should this humble machine do next?" to NEXT IF NEXT = 'Q' CANCEL ENDIF *EXIT *CHANGE > CHANGE -- Permits Non-Full-Screen editing of database in use by field. Hit ESCape key to terminate CHANGE mode. Syntax: CHANGE [] FIELD [FOR ] . CHANGE ALL FIELD ZIP FOR ZIP = '90045' RECORD: 00123 ZIP: 90045 CHANGE? (Enter the characters to be changed and hit return. Add new data at the TO prompt, or hit return to go to the next appropriate record.) *EXIT *CLEAR > CLEAR -- Closes all database in use, releases all memory variables, and Selects Primary work area. > CLEAR GETS -- makes dBASE forget about all GET statements still active, but without erasing the screen. *EXIT *COPY > COPY -- Copies the database in use or only its structure TO another file. COPY will create the TO if it does not yet exist, but will destroy an already existing file of that name. Will not copy records marked for deletion. Syntax: COPY TO [] [FIELD ] [FOR ] COPY TO [SDF] [DELIMITED [WITH ]] [FOR ] COPY TO STRUCTURE [FIELD ] *EXIT *COUNT > COUNT -- Counts the number of records in database file in use. Syntax: COUNT [] [FOR ] [TO ] e.g., COUNT NEXT 25 FOR GRADE > 'B-' TO DEANLST *EXIT *CREATE > CREATE [] -- Creates a new database file. User will be prompted for file structure. *EXIT *DELETE > DELETE FILE -- deletes named file. > DELETE [] [FOR ] -- marks record(s) for deletion. Records marked for deletion (with *) will not be erased until the PACK command is given. Records may also be marked for deletion by record number. e.g., DELETE ALL FOR COMPANY = 'ZMB' DELETE RECORD 15 *EXIT *DISPLAY > DISPLAY FILES [ON ] [LIKE ] -- lists files on drive. e.g., DISPLAY FILES ON B LIKE *.CMD > DISPLAY [] [FOR ] [] [FIELDS ] [OFF] -- displays variables, or records of file in use. e.g., DISPLAY NEXT 10 FOR PHONE = '415' > DISPLAY STRUCTURE -- displays field names, types, lengths, and decimals (structure) of file in use. > DISPLAY MEMORY -- displays names, types, and values of all currently defined memory variables. > DISPLAY STATUS -- lists which databases are open, the system date, indexes in use, and current parameters SET. *EXIT *DO *ENDCASE *ENDDO *LOOP > DO -- opens and executes specified command file. > DO WHILE -- used in command files to open a structured loop. Commands in between are executed so long as the [LOOP] DO WHILE is found to be True. ENDDO e.g. USE MAILLIST DO WHILE .NOT. EOF ? NAME ? PHONE SKIP ENDDO LOOP causes command file to jump processing back to the DO WHILE command. e.g. USE MAILLIST DO WHILE .NOT. EOF IF ZIP = '90005' SKIP LOOP ENDIF ? NAME ? PHONE SKIP ENDDO *CASE > DO CASE -- used in command file to choose one and only one of several possible execution paths. OTHERWISE clause optional, and executes when no CASE is true. ENDCASE is needed to close command. e.g. USE MAILLIST ACCEPT "WHICH MENU OPTION DO YOU PREFER?" to CHOICE DO CASE CASE Choice = '1' DO Labels CASE Choice = '2' DO Addnames CASE Choice = '3' DO Edit OTHERWISE QUIT ENDCASE *EXIT *EDIT > EDIT [] -- enables selective editing of database in use by record number. Requests record number if not supplied. When edit of particular record has been completed, Ctr-W brings back EDIT's record number prompt (ENTER RECORD #:). To terminate EDIT mode, answer record number query with a return. *EXIT *EJECT > EJECT -- causes printer to do a form feed (page eject) if PRINT is SET ON or FORMAT is SET TO PRINT. When using @ SAY commands for direct page formatting, EJECT will zero out line and column counters. *EXIT *ERASE > ERASE -- clears the screen. In interactive mode, "." prompt will appear at top left corner of screen. *EXIT *FIND > FIND -- when using indexed files, positions to first record indexed by . *EXIT *GO *GOTO > GO or GOTO -- positions to a specific record or place in the database in use. Also positions to record number contained in memory variable. Syntax: GO or GOTO [RECORD ], , [TOP], [BOTTOM], or *EXIT *HELP dBASE II ON-LINE HELP FACILITY Below you will find a list of all dBASE commands. This HELP file contains a brief synopsis of each command, as well as a picture of that command's correct syntax. Please remember, however, that HELP file information is limited, and is only meant to cut down on the number of trips you will have to make to the dBASE II Manual. To access the entry for the dBASE command (or other Help File entry) you wish to review, merely respond to the dBASE "." prompt by entering HELP and a return (e.g. HELP CREATE ). The desired information will appear and then return you to the "." prompt, so you can go right back to work. In some cases the entry will take up more space than is provided by a single screen. (This is one of them.) To bring up the next screen of information, just enter any character at the "WAITING". You may end the help message by typing ESC twice. >>>>>>>>Type 'HELP dBASE ' for other important information. > ? -- displays an expression, variable, or field. > ?? -- displays an expression list without a preceeding line feed. > @ -- displays user formatted data on screen or printer. > ACCEPT -- allows input of character strings into memory variables. > APPEND -- append information from another dBASE II database or files in Delimited or System Data format. > BROWSE -- full screen window viewing and editing of database. > CANCEL -- cancels command file execution. > CHANGE -- Non-Full-Screen edit of fields of database. > CLEAR -- close databases in use and releases all current memory variables. > CONTINUE -- continue the searching action of a LOCATE command. > COPY -- creates a copy of an existing database. > COUNT -- counts the number of records in database which meet some criteria. > CREATE -- creates new structured database. > DELETE -- deletes a file or marks records for deletion. > DISPLAY -- displays files, database records or structure, memory variables, or status. > DO -- executes command files or structured loops in command files. > EDIT -- allows edit of records in database. > EJECT -- ejects a page on the printer. > ELSE -- alternate path of command execution within IF. > ENDCASE -- terminates a CASE command. > ENDDO -- terminates a DO WHILE command. > ENDIF -- terminates an IF command. > ENDTEXT -- terminates a TEXT command. > ERASE -- clears the screen. > FIND -- positions to record corresponding to a key on indexed files. > GO or GOTO -- positions to a specific record in database. > HELP -- accesses help file list or entry. > IF -- allows conditional execution of commands. > INDEX -- creates an index file. > INPUT -- allows input of expressions into memory variables. > INSERT - insert new record within a database. > JOIN -- joins output of two databases. > LIST -- lists files, database records or structure, memory variables, and status. > LOCATE -- find a record that fits a condition. > LOOP -- skips to beginning of DO WHILE command. > MODIFY -- used for creating and editing command files and modifying structure of existing database. > NOTE or * -- allows insertion of comments in command file. > PACK -- erases records marked for deletion. > QUIT -- exits dBASE and returns to CP/M. > READ -- displays data and prompting information in full-screen mode. > RECALL -- erases mark for deletion. > REINDEX -- updates an existing index file. > RELEASE -- eliminates unwanted memory variables and releases memory space. > REMARK -- permits display of any characters. > RENAME -- rename a file. > REPLACE -- change information in a record field by field. > REPORT -- format and display a report of information. > RESET -- let operating system know that disk has been swapped. > RESTORE -- retrieves memory variables stored in files. > RETURN -- ends a command file. > SAVE -- copies current memory variables to disk file. > SELECT -- switches between USE files in PRIMARY and SECONDARY areas. > SET -- sets dBASE control parameters. > SKIP -- position forwards or backwards in database. > SORT -- write copy of database sorted on one of the data fields. > STORE --creates memory variables. > SUM -- compute and display the sum of field. > TEXT -- allows output of block of text from a command file. > TOTAL -- creates summarized copy of database combining information from specified fields meeting some criteria. > UPDATE -- allows batch updates of a database. > USE -- specifies database to USE until next USE command is issued. > WAIT -- suspends command file processing until user input received. Other key words: (e.g. type 'HELP EXAMPLES' ) UTILITIES FULL-SCREEN LIMITS BACKUP INSTALL NEW ERRORS CP/M EXAMPLES FUNCTIONS DBASE HELP RUNTIME *EXIT *IF *ELSE *ENDIF > IF -- in command file, permits conditional execution of commands. ELSE clause is optional. [ELSE ] e.g., IF STATE = 'CA' ENDIF DO INSTATE (command file) ELSE DO OUTSTATE (command file) ENDIF *EXIT *INDEX > INDEX ON TO -- creates an index file for database in use based upon designated index 'key', i.e., the . Usually index will be 'keyed' on a field name. *EXIT *INPUT > INPUT [""] TO -- prompts user to enter numeric or logical information into an already created memory variable. e.g., . INPUT 'Prompt user for input' to X Prompt user for input: 12 [user input has been stored to X] ? X 12 *EXIT *INSERT > INSERT [[BEFORE] [BLANK]] -- inserts a record into the database in use immediately after or -- with BEFORE -- before the current record. Presents user with data entry format for file in use unless BLANK record is requested. *EXIT *JOIN > JOIN -- creates a new database by combining the records of files in use in Primary and Secondary areas. Records are added where FOR evaluates as True. Command must be executed from primary area. Default on FIELD to all. Syntax: JOIN TO FOR [FIELDS ] e.g., . USE NAMES . SELECT SECONDARY . USE MAILLIST . SELECT PRIMARY . JOIN TO NAMEML FOR LAST <> S.LAST *EXIT *LIST > LIST FILES [ON ] [LIKE ] -- lists all files on designated disk. Default to logged disk. e.g., . LIST FILES ON C LIKE *.CMD > LIST [] [FOR ] [] [FIELDS ] [OFF] -- displays records of file in use. Default value is all records. e.g., . LIST NEXT 25 NAME, PHONE FOR CONTRIB > 100 (i.e., NAME and PHONE of next 25 who contributed more than $100.) > LIST STRUCTURE -- displays structure of file in use. > LIST MEMORY -- lists names and values of all currently defined memory variables. > LIST STATUS -- indicates which database files are open, indexes in use, and current parameters SET. *EXIT *LOCATE *CONTINUE > LOCATE [] FOR -- finds first record of database for which FOR is True. Use CONTINUE to find next such record. (User may manipulate record before resuming search with CONTINUE.) e.g., . LOCATE ALL FOR ZIP >= '95000' .AND. ZIP < '96000' RECORD: 00123 . DISPLAY . CONTINUE RECORD: 00232 *EXIT *MODIFY > MODIFY STRUCTURE -- allows user to alter the structure of database in use. This command will destroy all data in the file in use. (To alter structure without loss of data, use COPY STRUCTURE and APPEND.) e.g., . USE NAMES . COPY STRUCTURE TO TEMP . USE TEMP . MODIFY STRUCTURE -- no data lost since file is empty . APPEND FROM NAMES -- brings in data . COPY TO NAMES -- destroy file with old structure . USE NAMES -- opens new file . DELETE FILE TEMP > MODIFY COMMAND -- provides full screen facility for creating and editing command (.CMD), text (.TXT), and format (.FMT) files. *EXIT *NOTE > NOTE or * -- permits the insertion of comments into a command file. Comments following NOTE or * in file will not be read or executed. *EXIT *PACK > PACK -- erases records marked for deletion in database in use. If indexes are in use, they will be brought up to date. *EXIT *QUIT > QUIT [TO ] -- exits dBASE and returns user to operating system; will start up system level programs as option. *EXIT *READ > READ -- used in command files to enter full-screen mode for entry or editing of variables. The Full-screen prompts and window are created by @ SAY commands with GET phrases. Format file fragment: STORE ' ' TO name STORE ' ' TO phone @ 4,4 SAY 'Name' GET name @ 6,4 SAY 'Phone' GET phone PICTURE '(###)###-####' READ *EXIT *RECALL > RECALL [] [FOR ] -- reinstates record(s) marked for deletion within database in use. Default value is current record. *EXIT *REINDEX > REINDEX -- allows update of index files not automatically 'reindexed' after alteration of database file. e.g., . USE MAILLIST INDEX ZIP . APPEND [append operations performed] . SET INDEX TO name . REINDEX *EXIT *RELEASE > RELEASE -- eliminates unwanted memory variables and opens memory space for further use. ( uses ? to mask any single character, * to mask all remaining characters. Syntax: RELEASE [], or [ALL] RELEASE ALL LIKE RELEASE ALL EXCEPT e.g., where N, N1, N2, N10, V7 are variables in use. RELEASE ALL LIKE N? [ N10, V7, will remain] RELEASE ALL LIKE N?? [ V7 will remain] RELEASE ALL EXCEPT ?1* [ N1, N10 will remain] *EXIT *REMARK > REMARK -- permits the display of any characters. In command file character entry is output. . REMARK abracadabara!!! abracadabara!!! *EXIT *RENAME > RENAME TO -- permits renaming of file in CP/M directory. Unless otherwise indicated, dBASE assumes that file type is DBF. . RENAME REVIEW.CMD TO REVIEW.BAK *EXIT *REPLACE > REPLACE -- allows user to replace contents of specified fields of database in use. If index file is keyed on field targeted for update, index in use will be automatically updated. Default is current record. Syntax: REPLACE [] WITH [, WITH ] [FOR ] e.g., . USE MXPROJ . REPLACE ALL COST WITH COST*1.1 FOR ITEM = 'ELECTRIC' *EXIT *REPORT > REPORT -- used for creating a Report Form file (FRM) for displaying specified information from a database in a user-defined format. Outputs results to screen or printed page. Syntax: REPORT [FORM
] [] [TO PRINT] [FOR ] [PLAIN] *EXIT *RESET > RESET [] -- use this command after changing discs on any drive other than that containing dBASE, resets the CP/M bit map, allowing uninterrupted operation of dBASE program. Close all files before issuing a RESET. *EXIT *RESTORE > RESTORE FROM [ADDITIVE] -- retrieves and activates the set of memory variables previously SAVEd to a memory file. ADDITIVE allows you to keep currently defined variables intact, otherwise they are lost. *EXIT *RETURN > RETURN -- may be used in a command file to return control to the command file which called it or to dBASE "." prompt if user called it. *EXIT *SAVE > SAVE TO [ALL LIKE ] [ALL EXCEPT ] -- copies all memory variables currently in use, or only those specified by , to designated memory (MEM) file. uses ? to mask any single characters and * to mask all remaining characters. e.g., where N1, N2, N10, V1, V2, V10 are current variables. . SAVE TO NUMBER ALL LIKE N* [saves N1, N2, N10] . SAVE TO NUMBER ALL LIKE N? [saves N1, N2] . SAVE TO NUMBER ALL EXCEPT ?1* [saves N2, V2, ] *EXIT *SELECT *PRIMARY *SECONDARY > SELECT [PRIMARY / secondary] -- allows user to move between the two work areas dBASE provides, thus permitting user to work with two databases simultaneously and maintain record pointers in both. Primary area is active upon bringing up dBASE. *EXIT *SET > SET -- sets dBASE control parameters. Syntax: SET [ON or OFF] SET TO